and later remembered the man he says has been a major inspiration. >> and this year we give a special measure of gratitude for nelson mandela a man who championed that generosity of spirit. in his life he blessed us with tremendous grace and unbelievable courage. and we are all privileged to live in a world touched by his goodness. >> reporter: despite a cold rain, crowds continued gathering before mandala's statue. in south africa's washington embassy to mourn him. former secretary of state, hillary clinton, met mandala a few years after he was released from prison. >> mandala told many people that he had to learn to forgive, and he had to leave his anger behind when he walked out of prison. >> reporter: secretary of state john kerry was in tel aviv, working on an israeli/palestinian solution when he paused to remember mandala. >> madiba's long walk to freedom gave new meaning to character and to courage, to forgiveness and to human dignity. and now that his long walk has ended, the example that he set for all of humanity lives on. >> reporter: the white house has said that president